Clasp



Dec. 27, 1932. A M @SLE gg CLASP Filed May 2l, `1.931

v mfg/TOR.

BY @al MM A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 27, i932 UNITED STATES LEACH AND STEPHEN H. GARNER PAT-13NTe -orslcsf- ARTHUR M. conn, or Amrrnsono, MASSACHUSETTS, Assroiv'oa To entrenar.y FINDINGS,- & SUPPLY co., or ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, A smnoonrosnn or EDWIN r.

CLASP Application filed May 21,

This invention relates lto a clasp and has for its object to provide a clasp which will be simple and inexpensive in construction and one which may be easily opened and securely held in closed position.

Another object of the invention is toreenforce the resilient inherent stock of the clasp to provide a more secure engagement of the tongue and hooked portion thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a separate spring of harder stock than the clasp for assisting the tongue of the clasp in moving to closedposition.

Another object of the invention is to provide strengthening of the joint end of the clasp to prevent crushing at the fold.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a separate spring for assisting the movement of the tongue to closed position and also the provision kof a connecting means for maintainingy the spring in working position.V

A still further object of the invention is to prevent the connecting link from moving to such an extent as to permit dislodgment of a separate spring for assisting the operation of the tongue. Y

`With these and other objects and advantageous features in view, the invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, and more particularly set forth in the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the clasp with connecting links at either end thereof and showing in dotted lines a spring at the fold of the stock of the clasp.

Fig. 2 is a central sectional view through Fig. l.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the tongue `of the clasp as moved to opened position. t

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a longitudlnal section through the clasp and the spring with the connecting link as spread open to receive the spring and the body of the clasp.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the link. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the spring. Fig. 7 is a. view similar to Fig. 4 with the 1931. SerialNo. 538,962. v

connecting link inV position andl showing the same as shouldered to prevent rotation about the spring in the plane of Ithe link.`

In the use of clasps for detachably connecting necklaces, key chains, or the like, it is frequent that such clasps are subjected to pressure at the fold of the stock'sufficient to cause crushing. Also, thestock from which clasps are formed is often of soft material to permit proper workingy thereof, in which case the resiliency of the tongue for closing the hookk end thereof is weak land in order that such soft stock may be used I strengthen the joint or fold end of the clasp against crushing and. also strengthen thev resiliency ofthe tongue by providing a separate member of resilient hardened spring stock to be inserted in the fold andwhich I have held in place by a link throughwhich vthe clasp is connected to one end of a chain or the like upon which it functions, thereby causing the link to perform a do-uble function. And the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention illustrating the preferred means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished.

With reference to the drawing, 10 desigy nates the body member of the clasp which is folded as at 11 and provided with!V ahook 12 at one end and tongue 13 extending'from the fold or joint end 11 to engage the inner suri faceof the tongueand close lthe entrance to the hook. A link 14 having anopening 15 to receive the hook 12 may' be inserted or withdrawn from the hook 12 as illustrated in Fig. 8 by flexing the tongue 13 from the joint end 11. i

. In order to strengthen the fold or joint end 11, I have inserted a spring member 16 which is of U shape as illustrated in Fig. 6 andof a size to snugly lie against the inner surface of the fold or joint 11 and .assist in moving the tongue 13 to closed position as illustrated in Fig. 2 and in order that this spring maybe securely held in this position I have mounted a connecting link 17 at this joint end which is provided with an opening 18 ofan elongated shape to receive the relatively wide and thin joint end 11 and spring 16 to hold these in assembled working position. Shoulders on the edge of the opening engage the joint end 11 to prevent rotation of the link 17 in its own plane about the joint end thereby maintaining the spring in desired position.

When the link 17 is used in connection with a wide body part as shown in the drawing the link is split as at 20 to provide arms 21 and 22 to be spread apart as illustrated in Fig. 4 and then bent together for maintaining the same in position, the notch 22 being necessary for such spreading of the arms.

It will be of course understood that the opening 23` in the link 17 and 24 in the link 14 are for the purpose of connecting the che` in thereto and the relative arrangement of par-'cs is such as to provide-the desired liexibility of the links 14 and 17 about the fold or hook connections to the clasp. Y

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to whichthe device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A clasp having a body part of sheet stock folded upon itself and provided with a hook at one end and a resilient tongue to close said hook, a U shaped stiffening spring at the fold of said bodyY part to assist the movement of the tongue outwardly to closed position, and a connecting link for holding said spring in working position.

2. A clasp having a body part of sheet stock folded upon itself and provided with a hook at one end and a resilient tongue to close said hook and a U shaped stiffening spring at the fold of said body part to assist the movement of the tongue to closed position and a connecting link for holding said' spring in working position, said link having arms embracing said spring and folded portion of the body. i

3. A clasp having a body'part of sheet stock folded upon itself and provided with a hook at one end and a resilient tongue to close said hook, a U shaped stiening springv at the fold of said body part to assist the movement vof the tongue to closed position, a connecting link for holding said spring in working position and means for preventing relative rotative movement of said link about said fold in a plane parallel to said body part.

4. In combination a clasp having a resilient tongue with a separate spring to strengthen said tongue and a connecting link engaging said spring and maintaining it in working position with relation to said tongue.

5. In combination a clasp having a body part of sheet stock with a relatively wide and thin portion folded upon itself and pro; vided with a hook at one end and a resilient tongue to close said hookv with a separate spring at said fold to assist said tongue to close said hook, and a sheet metal link having a narrow opening for receiving said folded portion and spring to maintain them in assembled working position.

6. In combination a clasp having a body part of sheet stock with a relatively wide and thin portion folded upon itself and provided with a hook at one end, a resilient tongue to close said hook, a separate spring at said fold to assist said tongue to close'said hook, and a sheet metal link having a narrow opening for receiving said folded portion and spring to maintain the same in working position, said link permitting swinging about said fold but said slot being shaped to prevent movement at right angles to said fold when in position parallel with the body part.

7. In combination a clasp having a body part of sheet stock with a relatively wide and thin portion folded upon itself and provided with a hook at one end and a resilient tongue to close said hook, and a sheet metal link having a narrow opening for re'- ceiving said folded portion and spring to maintain the parts in assembled working position, said opening providing shoulders to prevent rotation of the link in its own plane about said fold.

8. In combination a clasp having a body part of sheet stock with a relatively wide and thin portion folded uponV itself and provided with a hook at onepend and a resilient tongue to close said hook, and a sheet metal link having a narrow opening for receiving said folded portion and spring to maintain the same in assembled working position, said opening being split for attaching purposes to provide arms to extend through said fold 2nd abut opposite the inner surface of said old.

In testimony whereof I atIiX my signature.

ARTHUR M. COLE. 

